6 restaurants serving Grilled Skewers
Alhambra, CA
“E & J PINOY BARBECUE AND BIBINGKA has earned perfect 5.0-star ratings in Alhambra by specializing in two beloved Filipino food traditions: expertly grilled Filipino barbecue and authentic bibingka rice cakes. Located in the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles where Filipino food culture thrives, E & J competes in one of America's most competitive Filipino food markets where only exceptional quality earns customer loyalty. The restaurant's dual focus on barbecue and bibingka demonstrates culinary expertise across both savory grilled meats and traditional Filipino desserts. Filipino barbecue at E & J features the characteristic sweet-savory marinades and skilled grilling that define Filipino BBQ, while their bibingka offers the authentic texture and flavor of this special Filipino rice cake traditionally cooked in clay pots. The perfect rating reflects consistent excellence in food preparation, generous portions, and warm hospitality. E & J PINOY BARBECUE AND BIBINGKA represents successful Filipino food entrepreneurship focused on doing a few things exceptionally well.”
Encinitas, CA
“CARiN de RiA brings authentic Filipino karinderya dining to Encinitas, earning an outstanding 4.7-star rating from 336 reviews. The stylized name "CARiN de RiA" plays on "carinderia"-the traditional Filipino eatery where home-cooked meals are displayed cafeteria-style for customers to point and select (turo-turo). This dining format originated in the Philippines centuries ago, providing affordable, delicious meals to travelers and locals. CARiN de RiA preserves this cultural tradition while elevating it for San Diego County's coastal dining scene. Located next to the longtime Encinitas institution The Potato Shack, CARiN de RiA introduced North County San Diego to authentic Filipino cuisine, filling a gap in an area with limited Filipino restaurant options despite Southern California's large Filipino population (second-highest concentration in the US). The restaurant serves homestyle Filipino classics like chicken adobo, pancit, lumpia, and sizzling sisig, with reviewers praising dishes as "the best Filipino food in San Diego County." The 336 reviews and 4.7 rating demonstrate strong community support from both Filipino-Americans craving authentic food and adventurous diners discovering Filipino cuisine. CARiN de RiA offers exceptional value-described as "an absolute steal, especially in Encinitas"-with $10 lunch deals and generous portions. The restaurant serves Filipino beers and features both indoor and outdoor dining. The Carinderia Company has expanded to multiple locations, bringing their "Fresh Filipino Goodness" to broader audiences.”
Scottsdale, AZ
“Wholly Grill serves Filipino and international cuisine in Scottsdale, Arizona, earning a 4.1-star rating from 134 reviews. Located on North Hayden Road in the upscale Scottsdale area, Wholly Grill brings Filipino flavors to one of Arizona's most affluent communities, introducing residents and visitors to authentic Filipino grilled specialties and traditional dishes. The name "Wholly Grill" emphasizes the restaurant's focus on grilled and barbecued items, a cornerstone of Filipino cuisine. Filipino grilling traditions feature meats marinated in distinctive blends of soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and spices before being cooked over flames, creating the characteristic sweet-savory flavors that define Filipino BBQ. The menu likely showcases Filipino grilled favorites-chicken inasal, pork BBQ skewers, and grilled seafood-alongside traditional Filipino dishes like adobo, pancit, and lumpia. Wholly Grill's Scottsdale location demonstrates the spread of Filipino cuisine beyond ethnic enclaves into mainstream Arizona dining. The substantial review count indicates steady popularity among both Filipino-Americans seeking familiar flavors and adventurous Scottsdale diners exploring new cuisines. The restaurant's presence in Scottsdale helps normalize Filipino food as part of Arizona's diverse culinary landscape, not just as ethnic food but as a valued cuisine worth seeking out. For Scottsdale residents and visitors, Wholly Grill offers an accessible introduction to Filipino flavors in a familiar comfortable setting.”
Arleta, CA
“Sally's House of Lechon, BBQ & Seafood brings together three essential elements of Filipino cuisine - lechon, BBQ, and seafood - under one roof in Arleta's North San Fernando Valley. Specializing in lechon (roasted pig), Sally's offers both whole roasted pigs for parties and lechon by the pound for smaller gatherings, ensuring that this Filipino celebration staple is accessible for events of any size. The restaurant's lechon features the crispy, golden skin and succulent meat that makes properly prepared lechon the star of Filipino celebrations. Beyond lechon, Sally's excels at Filipino BBQ with various grilled meats marinated in traditional Filipino seasonings, from pork and chicken skewers to other BBQ favorites. The seafood component adds variety with Filipino-style seafood preparations that might include grilled fish, seafood sinigang, or other seafood dishes prepared with Filipino flavors and techniques. The restaurant serves both dine-in customers and provides catering services for Filipino events throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area. Sally's combination of specialties makes it a one-stop destination for Filipino party planning, whether customers need whole lechon, BBQ platters, or seafood additions. Located on Woodman Avenue, Sally's serves Arleta's Filipino community and surrounding neighborhoods in the North Valley. While ratings suggest room for improvement, the restaurant's focus on lechon and traditional preparations addresses an important niche in Filipino catering. For San Fernando Valley residents planning Filipino celebrations or craving authentic lechon, Sally's House of Lechon, BBQ & Seafood provides essential Filipino party elements.”
Mesa, AZ
“Wholly Grill offers Filipino-inspired grilled dishes in downtown Mesa, bringing Filipino barbecue traditions to the East Valley dining scene. Located on South Dobson Road near ASU's Polytechnic campus, this restaurant serves grilled meats and Filipino specialties with a focus on the smoky, charred flavors central to Filipino barbecue culture. With 176 reviews providing valuable feedback, Wholly Grill operates in Mesa's competitive restaurant landscape, offering both familiar Filipino dishes and accessible interpretations for diverse diners. The restaurant's location in downtown Mesa positions it to serve both the area's Filipino community and students, professionals, and residents exploring different cuisines. Filipino barbecue emphasizes marinades rich in soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and sugar, creating caramelized exteriors and tender, flavorful meat. From skewered pork and chicken to grilled seafood and traditional sides, the menu reflects the Philippines' vibrant street food culture and the importance of grilling in Filipino cooking. The restaurant provides dine-in, takeout, and delivery options, making Filipino-inspired grilled food accessible to Mesa's diverse population.”
Panorama City, CA
“Mr.Noks BBQ Chicken specializes in Filipino-style grilled chicken, focusing on the beloved barbecue tradition that's central to Filipino celebrations and everyday dining. The restaurant's name suggests a casual, approachable concept centered on their signature barbecue chicken prepared with Filipino marinades and grilling techniques. Filipino BBQ chicken features distinctive sweet-savory flavors from marinades combining soy sauce, calamansi, garlic, and often banana ketchup or brown sugar, resulting in caramelized, slightly charred exterior that Filipino food lovers crave. Mr.Noks serves Panorama City's diverse community, an area with significant Filipino population that appreciates authentic preparation of Filipino barbecue classics. The restaurant likely offers chicken barbecue by the piece or as part of meal combinations with rice and sides, following the Filipino tradition of protein-and-rice meals that satisfy and comfort. Beyond chicken, the menu may include other Filipino BBQ favorites like pork skewers, grilled seafood, and essential sides like garlic rice and atchara pickled papaya. Filipino barbecue restaurants often operate with the understanding that properly marinated and grilled meats speak for themselves, requiring minimal fancy presentation but maximum flavor. Mr.Noks BBQ Chicken represents the neighborhood Filipino food tradition where consistent quality, fair pricing, and familiar flavors create loyal customer bases. The restaurant contributes to Panorama City's Filipino food scene, which includes multiple establishments serving the Valley's substantial Filipino-American population. For locals craving the smoky, sweet flavors of authentic Filipino BBQ chicken without traveling to larger Filipino restaurant destinations, Mr.Noks provides convenient access to this Filipino comfort food staple.”
